Is there any help for hard-working people?

By ANISSA MECHLING Jasper

Published
12:00 am CST, Tuesday, January 19, 2010

In Brookeshire's recently, I found myself behind a woman in line. Patiently, I waited, my hand basket barely full of the things I found on sale for dinner. As I watched the clerk rink up the snacks, steaks, etc., I felt cheap for deciding against the $7 half gallon of Blue Bell for the kids. But as the checker finally came to the beer under the woman's basket???she stopped the clerk. "Oh, that's separate." She whipped out her trusty Lone Star card and paid the nearly $300 bill for groceries. Then pulled out her cash and paid for the two cases of beer and four packs of cigarettes.

Needless to say, I became quite agitated. Maybe if I had not somewhat known the woman I wouldn't have been quite as upset. Moving forward. Said woman exited the store to load up the brand new vehicle she was driving, courtesy of her boyfriend and father of her children???and the man she shares a new home with when he's not working out of town. So technically, she is still a single mother???.give me a break.

It makes me think. Does it bother anyone else? Is there anyone who gets as aggravated as I when they drive by government housing and see the new vehicles? "Sorry state, I don't feel that rent is that important. Plus, how would it look if I was driving a Pinto?"

And who would like a free house? Seriously, a few simple omissions of the truth and Congrats!!! You could be a homeowner. True, you may get kicked off the first few organizational lists. Eventually though, someone might possibly buy it. "Oh no Mr. Non-Profit Organization person. I'm not married (the marriage license means nothing). Child Support? Oh no sir. Really? You'll give me a new house and well? I'm so blessed. Thank you for believing my untruths."

Yes, I'm bitter. Years ago, as a single mother working two jobs to put myself through college, I could not even qualify for daycare assistance. I was told that I made too much. No one cared that the second job covered the $800 a month daycare expenses. Or that the money I made from my state job barely paid the bills and tuition. No. I was told that if I had no income that I would qualify for everything. Forget the state insurance plan. My kids could have Medicaid. Praise the Lord. No HMO's, no co-pay. But alas, not for me. Yet there are women who do not work???who have their kids in daycare programs paid for by the state. I guess it's hard to get your naps in when you have to take care of your own children.

I, like so many around any economically depressed area know there are hard times everywhere. I know that not everyone scams the government. There are truly many who need and respect the assistance. I do not look down on anyone who is on government assistance. We are a country that is truly fortunate to (knock on wood) still have such programs in place.

And then there are those who let the government pick up the slack because they choose not to work. They are choosing to let the government support them even though they are capable of work. If you are not working, you should be spending 8 hours a day looking for productive work. I did. The Texas Workforce in Jasper probably got tired of seeing my face day in and day out. Programs are there as a last resort, not a first option. Welfare was something put in place as a temporary situation, not to take the place of gainful employment.

I am absolutely disgusted at the people who have no sense of responsibility, no morale awareness of the great disservice they are doing to their children, their communities, and their state. I was aghast at hearing of one woman's exclamation that she was so proud of her daughter finally getting government housing. Am I so wrong to want so much more for my children than a lifetime of government assistance?

As a struggling, middle-class woman (and I may be rating us a little high here), I have a question. Where do I get in line? I mean really. Work is somewhat time-consuming. May I please have free food? Medical would be nice, and rent is for the birds. A free house Mr. Non-Profit please? Can you make it a double wide? I like my space.

I do apologize for saying out loud what most of us talk about behind closed doors. I have a conscience, so I can't lie to the government or forge documents. However, could someone please check their database for programs available to honest, hard-working, TAXPAYING people?

Thank you ever so much.

P.S. I received a tax bill from the IRS yesterday in the mail for $949. Whoever gets it, spend it wisely please. We worked hard for it.